Top Courses After BDS- MS, MD, PG Diploma, & Other Degrees

Now that you have completed your BDS degree, and searching for the top courses after BDS is your next move, here are the options you can explore. Usually, after earning a BDS degree, graduates pursue a master’s degree.  However, dentistry also offers various specialized branches, including oral and maxillofacial surgery, conservative dentistry, to name a few. Read on to familiarize yourself with the top courses after BDS and the career prospects.

Want to transition into healthcare leadership after BDS?
Explore the MS in Health Services Administration in the US to build a career in medical systems management, policy, or hospital administration.

Top Courses After BDS

To get a medical degree after BDS, there are many courses to help you upgrade your abilities and get better career prospects. Go through the best postgraduate courses after BDS to boost your career options: 

• Master of Dental Surgery (MDS)
• Endodontics
• Cosmetic Dentistry
• Periodontics
• Oral surgery 
• Pedodontics 
• Implantology 
• Microendodontics
• Master of Hospital Administration (MHA)
• Master’s in Public Health (MPH)
• Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) in Hospital Management
• MBA in Health Care Management
• Forensic Odontology
• Clinical Research
• Pharmacovigilance
• Medical Transcription/Virtual Scribing
• Medical Coding
• Nutrition and Dietetics

There are some PG diploma courses after BDS you can opt for as well. PG diploma certificate courses after BDS can provide the necessary training and hands-on experience to excel in your domain of choice. The best diploma courses after BDS are as follows:

• PG Diploma in Aesthetic Dentistry (PGDAD)
• PG Diploma in Orthodontics & Dentofacial Orthopedics
• PG Diploma in Conservative Dentistry & Endodontics
• PG Diploma in Prosthodontics and Crown & Bridge
• PG Diploma in Pediatric and Preventive Dentistry
• PG Diploma in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
• PG Diploma in Periodontology

Apart from diploma courses after BDS, there are dental PhD courses. A Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) program is the best option for those who want to delve deeply into a particular field of dentistry with extensive study and research. 

Graduates of the PhD program are well-positioned for leadership positions in academia and the dental industry, driving the advancement of theory and practice. The following prominent dental PhD courses after BDS are: 

• PhD in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
• PhD in Periodontology
• PhD in Pedodontics
• PhD in Prosthodontics and Crown & Bridge
• PhD in Oral Pathology and Microbiology
• PhD in Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics
• PhD in Public Health Dentistry

Top Universities Abroad for Courses After BDS

University	QS World University Rankings 2024	Courses Offered	Fee Structure
University of Hong Kong	26	Master of Dental Surgery in Endodontics Master of Dental Surgery in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Master of Dental Surgery in Paediatric Dentistry Master of Dental Surgery in Periodontology Master of Dental Surgery in Prosthodontics Master of Dental Surgery in Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopaedics Master of Science in Community Dentistry Master of Science in Implant Dentistry Master of Science in Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology & Diagnostic Imaging	USD 21,700 - USD 70,600/year
University of Michigan: Ann Arbor	33	Dental Hygiene Graduate Program (MS) Endodontics Graduate Program (MS) Orthodontics Graduate Program (MS) Pediatric Dentistry Graduate Program (MS) Periodontics Graduate Program (MS) Prosthodontics Graduate Program (MS) Graduate Restorative Dentistry Program (MS)	USD 16,660/per term
University of Bern, Switzerland	126	Master in Dental Medicine	CHF 873.97 per semester
Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU)	611	Doctoral Program: Medical and Dental Sciences Track Master's Program: Medical and Dental Science and Technology Master of Medical Administration Course	USD 1800/semester

Some other top universities and colleges offering postgraduate course after BDS, including PG diploma after BDS and certificate courses after BDS are -

• National University of Singapore
• McGill University, Canada
• University of Manchester, UK
• University College London, UK
• Trinity College Dublin, Ireland
• University of Alberta, Canada
• University of Western Australia
• University of Adelaide, Australia
• RWTH Aachen University, Germany

Career Opportunities After BDS

Completing BDS and pursuing higher studies can give you a deeper knowledge of the field you are interested in. After completing MBA, MPH (Master's in Public Health) or MS/MD programs, graduates have a wide range of career options. Here are some common career paths dental graduates pursue.

Lecturer

As dental institutions frequently want faculty members with practical experience, being a lecturer is a feasible career choice for someone with prior dental experience. Depending on the college, a minimum of three to five years of experience may be needed. 

One can even aim to become the dean of a dentistry college after accumulating experience as a professor and practitioner in a medical setting. A dental lecturer in India makes about INR 90,672-INR 90,672 a month and a lecturer in the USA makes USD 83,000-USD 125,213 annually.

Dental Clinic

Graduates can start their dental practices, work at facilities connected to hospitals, or join private practices. Although opening a clinic takes a substantial upfront investment, profit margins can be lucrative if the business picks up. 

The clinic's location, service costs, and ability to draw clients are all important factors. In the early stages, networking widely and collaborating with established dentists can assist in developing a brand and attracting first clients. The salary range for a dentist with their own clinic in India is INR 14,000-INR 1,65,000 per month, and in the USA, it’s USD 62,923-USD 198,534 annually.

Overseas Career 

Becoming a dentist abroad involves applying for courses after BDS, such as an MDS degree or establishing a dental practice in another country. Each country has specific eligibility criteria, including clearing national board exams and obtaining a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) degree to practice in the United States. A dentist overseas can make USD 63,006-USD 198,794.

Apart from these career prospects, other exciting career avenues include: 

• Researching
• Dental blogging 
• Dental cosmetology 
• Dietician
• Forensic dentistry 
• Medical transcription
• Dental consulting, and
• Working for dental insurance companies 

Conclusion

Before you finish your BDS degree, you should explore courses and career options. This would help you create a solid strategy to pursue your next dream. Speak to as many people as possible; this includes your teachers, friends of your parents, or reach out to dentists online. You will need months of planning, research and communication, and it will be worth it in the end. 

Dental graduates have various options thanks to the courses accessible after earning a BDS degree. These postgraduate opportunities allow dental professionals to expand their horizons and meet the evolving needs of patients. 

You can have a successful and fulfilling career path in the dynamic world of dentistry!